Just saw Fences. I have a question about cinematography and set design.
Fences was clearly based on a play. It WAS a play. Very limited locations. Constant talking. That was fine. What I'm wondering is if the cinematography purposely gave the sense of a sound stage instead of the realism you normally get in a movie. The things I noticed are listed below. My question is, was I supposed to subliminally notice them?
1 - You could tell that the distance scenes up the street were painted, not real. Not totally sure why except that the smoke from the smoke stacks was always the same height and at the same angle. One did move a little at one point.
2 - The people in the street scenes seemed to be "staged." I can't figure out why. I'd love to know how they differed from normal movie street scenes.
3 - I think the sound itself would probably have been different if the back yard scenes were really filmed outside. OR, if the director had really wanted the back yard to sound like the real outdoors instead of a stage. Which is it?
4 - Lighting. I'm guessing the shadows would be different if cast by the sun.
5 - I'd be interested in other thoughts about what gave the movie the "feel" of an actual stage play, not just a play.
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